Gender, Race, and Equality

Girls understand that equality is still an issue in the United States. They see differences in influence among different groups, in opportunity to gain leadership positions across gender, and even the difference a woman President would make in the lives of other girls and women.

Statistics

(Source: Girl Scout Research Institute, Girl Survey Panel, February 2008)

• Three-fourths of girls feel that it is still necessary to focus on gender equality. Approximately 6% feel that gender equality has been achieved.

• Three-fourths of girls feel that it is still necessary to focus on racial equality. Approximately 10% feel that racial equality has been achieved.

• Nearly 70% of girls believe that having a woman President would change things for themselves and other girls and women. Three in 10 girls believe that having a woman President would make women and men seem more equal. Nearly four in 10 girls believe it would give women and girls more opportunities to succeed.

• Nearly two-thirds of girls believe they have to work harder than boys in order to gain positions of leadership. Of those girls, 49% says that it bothers them and they care enough to do something to change it.

• Regarding levels of influence in the U.S., nearly 70% of girls think wealthy business leaders have too much, followed by men (53%). Nearly two-thirds of girls think that young people have too little, followed by women (54%) and senior citizens (51%).